Bruce Arians on John Abraham: He’s a freak of nature

Abraham said that he is shooting for 20 sacks this season, which would be both a career high for Abraham and one of the best totals since the league started using sacks as an official statistic. It would also be a pretty remarkable achievement for a player who turned 36 in May, but Cardinals coach Bruce Arians isn’t doubting the veteran pass rusher’s ability to get the job done.

“He did it last year and there’s no reason to think he’s going to slow down,” Arians said, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He’s one of those freaks of nature. He just keeps getting it done. We are looking forward to another big year out of him.”

Abraham went from a part-time to full-time player as last year unfolded and his increased comfort level at linebacker led to 11.5 sacks from Week Seven through the end of the season. With Karlos Dansby and Daryl Washington both gone from last year’s unit, the Cardinals will need at least that kind of production again this season if they are going to approach double-digit wins again.

Yeah, yeah. Everyone’s a “freak of nature” these days just like every corner thinks he’s the best in the league. Whatever happened to “he’s a helluva football player?” If everyone’s a “freak,” then really no one is.

intelligent cement says:Jul 1, 2014 3:01 PM

It’s official.
As of this week, EVERYONE has been declared:
A Beast.
A Freak (of nature).
The Greatest @ (insert position).

Cardinals won’t need that kind of production from him again. He was starting due to numerous LB injuries, and all those guys are back plus a draft pick. And the Cards are about as close to a lock at over .500 as this league has, along with two of their division rivals.

With Dansby and Washington gone, there will be lots of playing minutes he can fill when he is healthy and ready to go. Besides, make no mistake to assume the DC has not though about every way they can to get him mis-matches so they can play to his strengths.

This is as long as he stays fairly healthy. As for the dummies who pan him for not playing well while hurt against the best the NFL has to offer, do you realize how stupid that sounds when many other players at their best health cannot produce even one sack during a season? What kind of ludicrous expectation is to dump on a player for not excelling while injured against the best players the NFL has?